Temporary protection in Finland for Ukrainians
Temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing war has been extended until March 4, 2026.
Who can be granted temporary protection in Finland?
1. Citizens of Ukraine who cannot return because of the war.
2. Family members of Ukrainians - if their ties were established in Ukraine before February 24, 2022 (for example, through marriage or the birth of a child).
3. Citizens of other countries or stateless persons - who had international protection or a residence permit in Ukraine and cannot safely return to their country of origin.
4. Persons with a temporary residence permit in Ukraine (applications submitted before September 7, 2023) - if they cannot return to safe conditions in their country of origin.
All applicants must provide proof of their status or family ties, and have the right to apply for asylum if they cannot return to their country of origin.
Entering Finland
You can cross the border with Finland with a foreign biometric passport, however, if you do not have it, you can provide any other identity document. Only Ukrainian documents are required at the Finnish border. However, if you are planning to arrive in the country by plane, please note that most airlines do not allow passengers without a biometric passport to board.
How to obtain temporary protection in Finland?
1. Contact the
police or the Border Guard in Finland and apply for temporary protection (it is free of charge). Even if you have applied for asylum, temporary protection is processed faster.
2. Present a document proving your identity (biometric passport or internal passport of Ukraine).
3. The police or the Border Guard Service will register your application. They record
- your personal and residence information
- information about your arrival in Finland and your itinerary
- information about your family members.
- Additionally, they will also take your photo, fingerprints and signature.
4. The Finnish Migration Board will make a decision after the registration. An identity document is required, but if you do not have one, contact the Ukrainian embassy in Finland.
5. The decision will be sent to the address you provided or to the refugee reception center. If you are granted temporary protection, you will receive a residence permit card.
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Legal advice for those under temporary protection in Finland. If you are facing questions about employment or obtaining a residence permit, we provide written consultations, introductory 30-minute and basic 60-minute online consultations, as well as comprehensive support with paperwork. To order a legal consultation,
please follow the link.
Plan your future with confidence with our professional help!
What documents do I need to apply for temporary protection?
At the police or border guard service, present your valid passport and other identity documents. If you are not a citizen of Ukraine, attach a residence permit or other proof of legal residence in Ukraine. Also submit documents on family relations if you are coming with your family.
When will I receive a decision on my temporary protection application?
The application is processed in about 2 weeks. After that, the Migration Service will order a residence card, which will take another 2 weeks. In general, you will receive the decision and the card approximately 1 month after submitting your application.
Will I get a residence permit if I have been granted a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection?
Obtaining a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection in Finland opens up the possibility to apply for
permanent residence in the municipality of residence. This procedure is carried out through
the Agency for Digital Information and Population Records (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto). You can apply for permanent residence if:
1. You have lived in Finland for one year with a temporary protection permit.
2. Before one year of residence, if you have a temporary residence permit based on temporary protection issued for at least one year and you meet one of the following requirements:
- You have an employment relationship lasting at least 2 years.
- You have a place of study with a minimum period of 2 years.
- You entered Finland with a biometric passport of a citizen of Ukraine before applying for temporary protection.
In addition, if you have a family member already residing in Finland, you are also eligible to apply for permanent residence after applying for temporary protection.
More information can be found
here.
How do I apply for a residence permit (permanent residence)?
2. Receiving a notification: Upon successful submission of the application, the Agency will notify you of the registration of your municipality of residence.
3. Informing the refugee reception center: After receiving the confirmation, you need to inform your refugee reception center where you were staying.
Once you have a permanent residence permit, you will have access to a wider range of services provided at the municipality level, including medical care, social services, education, etc. This level of services is significantly more extensive than those available in refugee reception centers.
More detailed information on the differences between the services of a refugee reception center and a municipality of permanent residence, as well as on the procedure for applying for permanent residence, can be found in
a special brochure created by the Finnish authorities.
Can I work and study with a temporary residence permit?
Yes, you have the right to work and study after registering your application for temporary protection with the police or the Border Guard Service. You will receive a certificate confirming this right and will be able to work in any field. If the certificate was not issued at the time of registration, you can request it by email by sending a certificate request to: migri@migri.fi.
Can I receive financial assistance?
Yes, you can apply for financial assistance at a refugee reception center. The amount of assistance depends on the availability of other income and funds. The allowance is paid to a prepaid card or to a Finnish bank account.
Can I receive financial assistance after obtaining a permanent residence permit?
Once you have obtained permanent residence in the municipality of your residence, you can no longer receive reception assistance. If you need help, you can contact
Kela for assistance.
What healthcare rights do I have under temporary protection?
The reception center provides the necessary medical care. Minors are entitled to medical care from the moment they submit their application, and adults are entitled to emergency care until they receive a temporary protection permit. After that, you are entitled to the same health care as permanent residents of Finland.
What should I do if my passport expires?
No earlier than 3 months before the expiration of your biometric passport for traveling abroad, you should apply to the Embassy of Ukraine in Finland for its extension. For details, please call: +358-92-28-90-072 and +358-92-28-90-071.
What should I do if I have a child with me without a passport?
You need to contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Finland in order to add the child's data to the passport(s) of the parents/legal representative of the child. For details, please call: +358-92-28-90-072 and +358-92-28-90-071.
How to cross the border with pets?
Finland has temporarily simplified the requirements for pets brought by Ukrainian citizens. Detailed instructions for crossing the border with pets are published on the website of the Finnish Food Safety Authority.
You can temporarily return to Ukraine if you have been granted a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection. There are no restrictions on the duration of the visit.
If you are going to leave Finland but intend to return soon, you need to inform the reception center of your travel intentions.
Send them the following information:
- when you intend to leave Finland and how long you intend to stay outside of Finland;
- the date of your return to Finland, if known.
Include it in your application:
- your first and last name;
- your number issued by the Finnish Immigration Service.
Send your application to your own admission center. You can find the contact information of the admissions officers at the link.
! Please note that traveling abroad may affect your eligibility for reception assistance. If you are applying for reception assistance and you are going to travel outside of Finland, please inform the reception center about your trip.
! Please note that if you have also applied for asylum and left Finland, even for a short time, the Finnish Immigration Service will issue a decision on the expiration of your asylum application.
